Background
Nathan Green was born about 1787. Local records suggest that he may have been the son of Capt. John and Patty (Sampson) Green or of a senior Nathan Green. It is probable that he followed the sea from boyhood.
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Nathan Green
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The only fully recorded part of his life is the period during which he was in command of the Grand Turk, which shared with the America of Salem under James W. Chever the distinction of being the most successful privateer in the War of 1812. The Grand Turk, the third of that name, belonged to thirty owners, principally from Salem, and made three cruises between Feburary 16, 1813, and June 9, 1814, under the command of Holton J. Breed.
She returned from her third voyage badly battered after a lively but unprofitable action with the British packet Hinchinbroke. Thereupon the command was given to Green, who sailed from Salem on the fourth voyage August 6, 1814. Cruising principally around the Scilly Islands and the Bay of Biscay, the Grand Turk made eight prizes, burned four other vessels, and stopped twenty-three neutrals, returning to Salem November 17, 1814. The fifth voyage, which gave Green his particular reputation, started from Salem January 1, 1815.
He headed for Brazil and learned that there were eight British ships at Pernambuco. He captured two prizes, on one of which were found fourteen nail kegs containing some $17, 500 in gold. On March 10, however, the Grand Turk nearly came to grief. Chasing an apparent merchantman, Green suddenly found her to be an English frigate which turned and started in pursuit.
The privateer was one of the fastest vessels afloat, but the wind suddenly died, whereupon both ships sent out boats with sweeps to tow them. Another frigate appeared, and the combined British crews nearly outrowed the exhausted Americans who were within gunshot part of the time. On the third day a breeze enabled the Grand Turk to escape.
A week later the two frigates appeared again while the Grand Turk was taking on the valuable cargo of a captured brig, but quick work on Green’s part saved both privateer and prize. Finding that the Treaty of Ghent was about to be ratified, Green returned to Salem, arriving on April 28, 1815. The proceeds of this fifth voyage totaled some $73, 000. Half of this went to the owners, and the rest, after expenses were deducted, to the officers and crew proportionately. Green’s share was probably more than $4, 000 for the cruise of less than four months. The only apparent further record of Green states that he was drowned at New York early in 1825.
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He married Thankful Goodale of Salem on July 15, 1813. His two daughters died in infancy, a son was born after his death.
